106
Methodological Contribution
to the Global Body of Knowledge
The methodological contribution to the new body
of knowledge is divided into two sections: (a) the
participatory climate mapping methodology
when used with other methods and (b) the conceptual framework.
The Contribution of Participatory
Mapping and Other Methods
The purpose of the climatic mapping exercise
was to gather information on the climate change
pressures impacting on the youth in SIDS. The
climatic mapping exercise also provided opportunities for stakeholders to validate and verify the
climate change pressures/stressors impacting the
youth in small island communities through stakeholder participation. When implemented with
other research methods, it provides opportunities
for triangulation.
Although the study focuses on SVG, it has relevance to the development challenges facing
other developing states across the Caribbean,
Indian, Pacific and other regions. The outcomes
of the study can also be replicated in other developing countries and LDCs in Africa, Asia and
Latin America. The conceptual framework and
methodology are already being applied in the
YEEP in Sierra Leone through NAYCOM and
funded by ADB. The project is performing successfully, and the sponsors have already decided
to upscale the project nationally and replicate it
in other countries in West Africa. Sierra Leone is
not a SIDS; therefore, the framework and methodology have broader applicability than initially
indicated.
The Contribution of the New
Conceptual Framework
on the Adaptation of the Youth
to New Climate Conditions
The development and implementation of a new
conceptual framework on the youth will provide
unique and appropriate approaches to build their
capacity in SIDS and LDCs to adapt to climate
change impacts in the future. The framework will
provide policymakers and researchers with an
approach to enable them to prepare the youth
with the necessary knowledge and skills to build
their resilience to adapt to climate change and
create sustainable livelihoods in small island
developing communities. It brings youth development and climate change adaptation to the
forefront of the broader global sustainable development agenda.
The framework makes an academic contribution to the global body of knowledge on youth
development, sustainable development and CCA
within the SIDS development context. It is also
applicable for assessing the impact of climate
change in the area of youth development effects
on communities in SIDS and its impact on capacity development. This framework can be applied
by policymakers and senior officials in SIDS and
LDCs to develop policies and programmes to
enable the youth to adapt to the impact of climate
change. It is applicable for conducting further
research on vulnerabilities and resilience in areas
of disaster preparedness, economic development,
tourism, agriculture, fisheries and forestry
development.
Limitations of the New Conceptual
Framework
Although the framework is applicable for
addressing issues of the impact of climate change
among young people in SIDS and LDCs, it is
essential to bear in mind that the research was
conducted in one Caribbean SIDS – the multiisland state of SVG. Hence, in implementing the
framework, there may be difficulties with generalising the outcomes of the research due to the
differences and variance in the development context of SIDS, although, as stated above, it has
been adapted for Sierra Leone and other West
African states.
Climate change is context-specific; therefore,
there may be instances whereby the framework
developed in this research does not apply to build
6 Preparing the Youth for the Storm: Deepening the Discourse Around the Youth and CCA in SIDS
Methodological Contribution
to the Global Body of Knowledge
The methodological contribution to the new body
of knowledge is divided into two sections: (a) the
participatory climate mapping methodology
when used with other methods and (b) the conceptual framework.
The Contribution of Participatory
Mapping and Other Methods
The purpose of the climatic mapping exercise
was to gather information on the climate change
pressures impacting on the youth in SIDS. The
climatic mapping exercise also provided opportunities for stakeholders to validate and verify the
climate change pressures/stressors impacting the
youth in small island communities through stakeholder participation. When implemented with
other research methods, it provides opportunities
for triangulation.
Although the study focuses on SVG, it has relevance to the development challenges facing
other developing states across the Caribbean,
Indian, Pacific and other regions. The outcomes
of the study can also be replicated in other developing countries and LDCs in Africa, Asia and
Latin America. The conceptual framework and
methodology are already being applied in the
YEEP in Sierra Leone through NAYCOM and
funded by ADB. The project is performing successfully, and the sponsors have already decided
to upscale the project nationally and replicate it
in other countries in West Africa. Sierra Leone is
not a SIDS; therefore, the framework and methodology have broader applicability than initially
indicated.
The Contribution of the New
Conceptual Framework
on the Adaptation of the Youth
to New Climate Conditions
The development and implementation of a new
conceptual framework on the youth will provide
unique and appropriate approaches to build their
capacity in SIDS and LDCs to adapt to climate
change impacts in the future. The framework will
provide policymakers and researchers with an
approach to enable them to prepare the youth
with the necessary knowledge and skills to build
their resilience to adapt to climate change and
create sustainable livelihoods in small island
developing communities. It brings youth development and climate change adaptation to the
forefront of the broader global sustainable development agenda.
The framework makes an academic contribution to the global body of knowledge on youth
development, sustainable development and CCA
within the SIDS development context. It is also
applicable for assessing the impact of climate
change in the area of youth development effects
on communities in SIDS and its impact on capacity development. This framework can be applied
by policymakers and senior officials in SIDS and
LDCs to develop policies and programmes to
enable the youth to adapt to the impact of climate
change. It is applicable for conducting further
research on vulnerabilities and resilience in areas
of disaster preparedness, economic development,
tourism, agriculture, fisheries and forestry
development.
Limitations of the New Conceptual
Framework
Although the framework is applicable for
addressing issues of the impact of climate change
among young people in SIDS and LDCs, it is
essential to bear in mind that the research was
conducted in one Caribbean SIDS – the multiisland state of SVG. Hence, in implementing the
framework, there may be difficulties with generalising the outcomes of the research due to the
differences and variance in the development context of SIDS, although, as stated above, it has
been adapted for Sierra Leone and other West
African states.
Climate change is context-specific; therefore,
there may be instances whereby the framework
developed in this research does not apply to build
6 Preparing the Youth for the Storm: Deepening the Discourse Around the Youth and CCA in SIDS